How To Get Rid of Motion Sickness Fast With 3 Doctor-Backed Remedies

Dealing with motion sickness can be frustrating. You just want to appreciate the views on a long drive or enjoy a special boat ride on vacation, but instead, you’re trying not to lose your lunch. Luckily, motion sickness is fairly common, and there are many ways to treat it. Keep reading to learn exactly what causes it and how to get rid of motion sickness.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is a bit more complex than your run-of-the-mill nausea. It can include symptoms such as dizziness , fatigue, headache and vomiting, says Sulagna Misra, MD , founding physician at Misra Wellness.

“ Motion sickness is a syndrome where real or perceived motion causes an individual to feel ill,” explains Dr. Misra. “Common causes of motion sickness include riding in a car or being on a boat. Sea sickness can actually be a form of motion sickness.” It’s also not unusual to get motion sickness on amusement park rides, while experiencing turbulence on a plane or even while watching a movie with shaky camerawork.

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“Motion perception is three-fold,” says Dr. Misra. “It depends on our vestibular, somatic and sensory cues. When the three are not perceiving correct information together, it can affect the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system and autonomic nervous system, causing these symptoms.”

In other words, when your eyes are telling you that you’re moving fast, but your body is sitting still in the passenger seat, it causes a sort of sensory misalignment that can make you nauseous.

How to get rid of motion sickness: 3 remedies

As uncomfortable as it may be, motion sickness is both common and treatable. The best way to get rid of motion sickness? By preventing it in the first place. “The easiest way to treat motion sickness is to avoid triggers,” says Dr. Misra. “Try to identify, and subsequently avoid, what causes motion sickness.”

But that 's not always possible. In that case, you might try natural remedies or over-the-counter meds to get rid of motion sickness, says Raj Dasgupta, MD , ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician and medical reviewer for NCOA. Here, three effective options:

1. Savor ginger to get rid of motion sickness

“Ginger tea or candies might ease nausea for some people,” Dr. Dasgupta notes. You can take ginger “ in different forms – capsules, ginger ale, tea or candied ginger – both before and after symptoms start. If nausea begins, consuming ginger in any form can help soothe the stomach and alleviate symptoms. ”

If you know you’re likely to get sick, you can buy ginger chews or candies ahead of time. You might also consider preparing ginger tea in advance to sip once you hit the road. To brew a big batch (4 cups worth):

1. Chop four, one-inch chunks of fresh ginger. Rinse and scrub off any dirt.
2. Thinly slice each chunk and add to a saucepan with four cups of water.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea and serve with a lemon slice, orange slice or a drizzle of honey.

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2. Wear acupressure wristbands to get rid of motion sickness

Acupressure wristbands “apply pressure to specific points on the wrist that may help alleviate symptoms," Dr. Dasgupta says. Experts suspect it works by triggering a rush of painkilling endorphins in the brain. Acupressure wristbands apply pressure to what's called the P6 pressure point. But you can also DIY this nausea solution:

1. Find the groove between the two tendons that run through your inner wrist.
2. The pressure point is located in this groove about 1.5 inches, or three finger-widths, below the base of your palm.
3. Press down here with gentle pressure for 2-3 minutes to activate the pressure point.

If you’re unsure how to use an acupressure wristband or how to find your pressure point to get rid of motion sickness, check out the video below:

3. Try Dramamine to get rid of motion sickness

“Over-the-counter meds like Dramamine or prescription patches like scopolamine can help,” Dr. Dasgupta advises. “Dramamine is helpful both as a preventative measure and as a treatment after nausea has begun. For the best results, take it 30 to 60 minutes before traveling to prevent symptoms.” But if you forget to take it in advance, or didn’t expect to get motion sickness, it’s still worth taking it to stave off worsening symptoms.

For more ways to soothe nausea and stomach upset:

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .